New York, October 13, 2023.- Ambassador Gerardo Peñalver Portal, first deputy minister of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, participated in the debate of the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly on “Crimes against humanity”
During his speech, Peñalver Portal said that Cuba is a historical defender of respect for the principles of International Law and especially, International Criminal Law. He highlighted the contribution of the International Law Commission in the efforts to achieve the international prevention and repression of crimes against humanity, which should contribute to the purpose of strengthening the international criminal justice system.
“The international community must fight against impunity for crimes against humanity, which is of great importance and significance in the current international context,” he warned.
In this context, the Cuban vice chancellor expressed his country's serious concern about the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine, "which is a consequence of 75 years of permanent violation of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and Israel's aggressive and expansionist policy." ”.
He reiterated the demand of the Greater Antilles for a broad, just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the creation of two States, which allows the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination and to have a State. independent and sovereign within the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“Cuba calls for peace and the search for a solution through negotiation that avoids a further escalation of a conflict that has already cost the lives of tens of thousands of people,” he declared.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations